NJ A5165

Requires the Division of Consumer Affairs to hire additional staff specifically to address backlogs in processing new professional license applications and license renewals across regulated professions

Appropriates $10,000,000 annually from the General Fund for fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028, totaling $30,000,000 over three years

Mandates annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing staff hired by profession, person-months of work, and backlog levels at the start and end of each fiscal year

Addresses concerns that since fiscal year 2016, fund transfers from professional boards to other Department of Law and Public Safety organizations may have reduced boards' ability to hire staff for backlog reduction

The act expires after the fiscal year 2028 report is issued